How to Set a Schedule for a One-Year-Old

Many people think that one-year-olds are wild and aren't meant to adhere to a schedule. However, many parents find that setting a schedule for their one-year-old actually improves behavior, sleep patterns and eating habits. Setting a schedule for a one year old is not as impossible as it may seem, and can actually be quite rewarding.

Things You'll Need

  • Writing materials

Instructions

  1. How to Set a Schedule for a One-Year-Old

    • 1

      Determine what times of the day you would like for your child to do certain things such as eat, play, bathe and sleep. Be sure that these are natural times for your child. It is never good to create arbitrary times to do things if it is not in sync with your child's own internal clock.

    • 2

      Write down the desired times and coordinating activities onto a sheet of paper, whiteboard or computer file so that you don't have to remember them all.

    • 3

      Give a window of time for each activity, as each day's actual schedule may vary by as much as an hour. For example, your one-year-old may not be ready for bed every day at exactly 8 p.m. If she took a longer nap in the afternoon, she may not be ready to go to bed until 8:30 p.m.

    • 4

      Choose a good week where you can focus on maintaining the schedule. You don't want to pick a week when other activities are going on. For example, don't try to establish a schedule if you have family in town or if you're planning on taking the family on a trip. You need an open week at home for the schedule's establishment to be most effective.

    • 5

      Use a clue before each activity so that your toddler can learn to recognize the schedule and shift in activities. These could be things such as saying phrases like, "It's time to eat now. Would you like to eat?" It could be a song for each activity. Or, it could be as simple as going into the room and setting up for whatever activity is about to take place.

    • 6

      Follow the schedule as strictly as possible for at least one week. Although you'll have to be flexible and adjust according to what your child shows is natural for her, don't allow shopping trips or lunches out on the town to interrupt this very important time.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Do Toddlers Pick Up on Your Emotions?
      Although you might think that your 2-year-old is blissfully unaware as you clench your teeth in frustration and grimace at the impossibly slow teen who is ringing up your order at the grocery store, she is actually picking up on your emotions. While
    • How to Parent a High Energy, High IQ Toddler
      Toddlers are naturally busy little people. Their world is expanding and they must explore. While children can have high energy levels without being gifted, Dr. Karen Rogers, associate professor of gifted studies at St. Thomas University in Minnesota,
    • How to Handle Toddler Meltdowns
      Toddler meltdowns can start in an instant, but taming your little ones tantrum often takes a bit of work. When frustration levels are high, it can be difficult to remember that small children arent always in control of their emotions. Keep in mind th